M.Pr.S Degree Admission Requirements

Please read the following information carefully.

In addition to the general requirements for admission to graduate studies (see General Regulations and Procedures), admission to the Master of Professional Studies degree program also requires the following:

1. The applicant must possess a baccalaureate degree or equivalent from an institution accredited by one of the six U.S. regional accrediting associations, by one of the agencies recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education, or by an appropriate governmental agency in the country in which the institution is located. The baccalaureate degree must bear a strong substantive and conceptual relationship to the applicant's area of specialization within the MPrS degree.

2. The applicant must have an overall undergraduate cumulative GPA of at least 2.7 on a 4.0 scale or a 3.0 GPA in the last 60 hours of undergraduate study. As this degree program aims to enhance skill sets related to the professional work environment, applicants who do not meet the cumulative GPA standard but who demonstrate a minimum of three years of successful full-time work experience in a professional field may be admitted conditionally. Such applicants must have current and/or prior employers complete the Job Verification form. Employers will send this fillable form directly to Ms. Erin Froman (mps@una.edu). Employment verification must be received before a student enrolls in a graduate course.

Conditionally admitted students will take no more than nine graduate level credits their first semester and must earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in the first completed nine hours of graduate coursework in the M.Pr.S degree program. Conditionally admitted students must resolve outstanding admission obligations before registering for a subsequent semesters.

3. The applicant will submit a Letter of Intent (see below) for evaluation. The Letter of Intent must demonstrate the applicant's suitability for graduate level study in the MPrS program.

Materials you will be required to upload to the online application include:

Letter of Intent - The letter of intent is an important element in defining the applicant's suitablity for acceptance. It should introduce the applicant, address their reasons for applying, clearly identify the choice of concentration, and convey how the degree program will affect their future career plans.

The Letter of Intent will convey how the applicant's baccalaureate education and/or work experience has prepared them for graduate studies within their MPrS area of specialization.

The Letter of Intent will identify possible graduate level courses offered at UNA or other schools that may become part of the applicant's area of specialization (visit https://www.una.edu/catalog/).

Three professional references must complete a fillable form for each applicant. Applicants input the email addresses of their references as part of the online application process.

Request official transcripts from each institution previously attended whether or not you received a degree from that institution. Transcripts from The University of North Alabama are required. Official transcripts can be sent through an electronic transcript service to graduate@una.edu or mailed directly from the previously attended institution to: Office of Graduate Admissions, UNA Box 5078, Florence, AL 35632.

Please contact the Department of Interdisciplinary and Professional Studies with any questions you may have concerning admission requirements or the transfer of graduate credits hours.